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June 5, 2011 We made it!  Over 500 Friends on Facebook!

It may be a tenuous reign, but we've been at 500 fans for over 24 hours.  At one time today we were at 502.  When I was first introduced to Facebook, I asked "Why? I already talk to my friends."  What I didn't understand was the word "friends"  For way more than you probably ever wanted to know about friendship, here's something else to read.   

I love parables.  At first I thought the constant fluctuation in fans was because people were discovering the Pomeroy Paper site, but people were also "unfriending" us because, for some reason, they disliked what we said.  What I discovered was that people actually gave up their entire Facebook account and that is mostly what causes a negative number in our fans.  Facebook is like a brand new tool.  Let's say you just got a hammer because someone explained you could pound in nails with it.  Soon you discovered you could do all other sorts of useful tasks with it.  Then you discovered the joy of smashing windows with it.  That was your tipping point and you said "No more hammers! (Facebook)"  Instead of getting rid of your hammer, you should just have curtailed your window smashing.

For those who have stayed with us, "THANK YOU!"  Having 500 fans of an online newspaper for a town of roughly 600 people gladdens my heart.

Here's another parable that helps explain why small towns everywhere are drying up and blowing away.  Thanks to all of you who chose not to spray me with water.

The Cage

Once upon a time there were some monkeys. They lived in a cage. One day they awoke to notice that a ladder had been placed right in the middle of the cage. Under the ladder hanging invitingly by a thread was a banana. It wasn't very long before one monkey began to climb the ladder. But as soon as it did so, icy cold water sprayed down on all the monkeys. This happened each and every time one monkey set paw upon the ladder. Very soon each and every monkey was on the lookout lest one of its companions would try to climb the ladder. How the monkeys hated that water. They hated it so much they quickly learnt to attack any would be banana questor. In time the monkeys simply learnt to ignore the banana. It was as if it were not there at all. It was a taste too far. And then one day a new monkey arrived in the cage. It wasn't very long before the new monkey saw the banana and began to climb the ladder. Immediately it was set up by the other monkeys and thrashed severely. It quickly discovered that the banana was taboo. As days went by more monkeys from elsewhere found themselves in the cage. Each in turn learnt the lesson. Typically it was the recent victims that punished the new transgressor the most. In fact the monkeys were so busy punishing each other that they failed to notice that their numbers were remaining mysteriously the same. For every new monkey that appeared in the cage one of the original monkeys was removed. It wasn't too long before every original monkey had gone. It wasn't long until there wasn't a single monkey in the cage that had experienced the icy deluge. In fact it wasn't long before no monkey had any memory of why it was wrong to reach for the banana. It simply became something that was not done. It became something that almost could not be done, because it was beyond the imagination, and spending all their time in the cage imagination was something the monkeys had very little of.

Imagine that!

And imagine something else. The banana that remained there, day after day, so wholesome, so free from decay - the banana was plastic.

The real fruit, the real reality was this: the cage door was open...

Thanks to all of you who have supported this,

Leonard

Gregg Heide featured on MSNBC

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Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

                                                Encourage Distributed Electricity Generation in Iowa

 by Gregg Heide

The recent natural disaster in Japan has resulted in several large centralized power plants going offline, leaving millions without electricity and begging the question regarding the safety of nuclear facilities.  A February winter storm in Texas caused 50 large plants to cease electricity production, placing its electrical grid in a precarious situation, resulting in rolling blackouts.  Besides the tragic loss of life and property, events like these expose the risks of relying on large central power stations and high-voltage transmission lines to deliver electricity to customers hundreds of miles away. The more centralized we make our electrical grid; the more likely we will expose ourselves to natural disasters and terrorism.    

Centralized power is not our only option when it comes to a reliable energy policy. It’s time to implement a plan to place electricity generation in locations close to the people who use the power. While no official studies have been done in Iowa, a Minnesota study determined that state could nearly double their installed generation capacity using existing distribution lines and constructing locally produced distributed energy.

Unfortunately, the Iowa legislature is going in the opposite direction. A request by MidAmerican Energy to build a nuclear power plant in the State of Iowa is being fast tracked through the legislature. SF 390 and HF 561 are bills structured to give MidAmerican exactly what it needs to build this facility, including preferential rates and the ability to bill customers prior to breaking ground on the facility. Furthermore, MidAmerican and other utilities have used the legislative process to build massive centralized wind farms needing high-voltage transmission lines, while effectively shutting out competition from farmers and small business. 

This preferential treatment and regulated monopoly is exactly what is hindering the ability of farmers and small businesses from installing their own solar and wind installations. In an attempt to work with the utility giants, the Iowa Farmers Union negotiated a deal in 2006, where MidAmerican would purchase a small amount of their wind energy needs from Iowa farmers. This agreement occurred while MidAmerican was petitioning the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) to expand their wind generation assets. Once the IUB approved the expansion, MidAmerican forgot their promise to the state’s farmers.

Farmers are asking for a fair shake here, for a just price for the energy we produce. The same price the investor owned utilities pay themselves for renewable energy. Without a fair price, no bank will finance a wind turbine or solar panel, and the incentives offered from the government do little to actually increase our renewable production.

Distributed renewable technologies can also help provide Iowa’s base load electricity needs, at a competitive cost compared to centralized power stations.  As we look to further our energy policy in Iowa and strive to be the leader in renewable energy, we ought to look at placing the power generation where the need is, using existing distribution lines. This can be done through farmer and business owned renewable energy spread out over the entire state.  Not only will our energy be reliable, but this will create local jobs, protect our need for electricity through multiple generation facilities, and utilize a clean, safe and long lasting form of energy production.

The wind and sun are Iowa’s new cash crops.  It’s high time our government sends the strong message that Iowa is open and friendly to small business and farmers building distributed generation and is the only way to grow our renewable power generation without massive high-voltage lines.  Without it, Iowa will slip in renewable energy production and innovation, losing high paying installation and manufacturing jobs to other states.

Gregg Heide, Vice President

Iowa Farmers Union

Pomeroy, Iowa

712-830-2224

gheide@evertek.net

School Reorganization Letter from Cathy Charleston

(many thanks to Chris Vrba, Editor of the Pocahontas Record-Democrat for sharing this letter)

To the editor:

Patrons of the Pocahontas Area and the Pomeroy-Palmer School districts will go to the polls on February 1st to vote on the merger of these two districts. We have had three informational meetings in Pomeroy to inform the voters of this district of the financial status, declining enrollment, the process of combining the districts and boards, and the advantages of the merger.

The Pomeroy-Palmer School Board has supported this endeavor from the beginning, and they have been open to answering any questions the patrons might have. The board cannot tell people how to vote, but as an individual of the school district I can share my thoughts. As board president, contrary to the rumor mill, I support this merger because of the many opportunities it will offer to our students, and that is what it is all about. If you choose to vote “No” please do so because after hearing all of the information presented to you, it is still your belief that we are better off just sharing, but do not vote “No” because you heard rumors that that was the way you were told to vote. 

There is still time to ask questions, clear up any misinformation, and talk to board members. Please take the time to vote on February 1st, and go to the polls with the facts, and vote accordingly. 

Cathy Charleston
Pomeroy-Palmer 
Board President

An Open Letter to the Patrons of the Pomeroy-Palmer Community School District

(many thanks to Chris Vrba, Editor of the Pocahontas Record-Democrat for sharing this letter)

Pomeroy-Palmer is among many districts facing difficult decisions regarding the future of their district. The board voted three years ago to begin sharing athletics with Pocahontas Area. Two years ago, we decided to begin whole grade sharing with Pocahontas Area, and last year we voted to share a transportation director and building and grounds director. The terms of the whole grade sharing agreement included the Middle School being in Pomeroy until July 1, 2012. This year we added another shared position by sharing a superintendent.

The challenges that Pomeroy-Palmer has been facing for years have not disappeared due to sharing. Years of declining enrollment along with the loss of the state's budget guarantee and sharing incentives are going to make it difficult for our district to continue to offer the programs we currently offer. We recently appeared before the School Budget Review Committee in Des Moines because of the district’s second year with a negative unspent balance. The board would like the patrons of the district to realize that staff, services and programs will need to be reduced.

On February 1, 2011 the voters of Pomeroy-Palmer will be given the opportunity to decide if it should formally merge with its sharing partner, Pocahontas Area. The residents of Pomeroy-Palmer will vote at the Pomeroy School Building, Pomeroy, Iowa. Polls will be open from 12:00 o’clock noon until 8:00 p.m. Any voter who is physically unable to enter a polling place has the right to vote in the voter’s vehicle. Eligible residents may choose to vote by absentee ballot. Absentee ballots can be obtained by contacting the Pocahontas County Auditor’s Office or the Calhoun County Auditor’s Office.

The school board cannot make decisions like this alone; it requires that a special election be held to decide. We hope everyone will take the time to let their voices be heard on this important decision.

Pomeroy-Palmer Community School Board of Education
Cathy Charleston, Brent Aden, Roger Eichelberger, Jason Gerdes, and Rachel Olson

An Open Letter to the Patrons of the Pocahontas Area Community School District

(many thanks to Chris Vrba, Editor of the Pocahontas Record-Democrat for sharing this letter)

Dear PAC Patrons:

Pocahontas Area has had a board goal to develop collaborative partnerships with its surrounding neighbors. Our partnership with the Pomeroy-Palmer school district has grown over the past five years. The board voted three years ago to begin sharing athletics with Pomeroy-Palmer. Two years ago, we decided to begin whole grade sharing with Pomeroy-Palmer, and last year we voted to share a transportation director and building and grounds director. This year we added another shared position by sharing our superintendent with Pomeroy-Palmer.

This fall a joint reorganization committee recommended to both district’s school boards that our two schools should reorganize. On February 1, 2011 a special election will be held on the issue of the proposed reorganization of the Pocahontas Area Community School District and the Pomeroy-Palmer Community School District into a new school district. The voters of Pocahontas Area will vote at their regular board election poling location. Polls will be open from 12:00 o’clock noon until 8:00 p.m. Any voter who is physically unable to enter a polling place has the right to vote in the voter’s vehicle. Eligible residents may choose to vote by absentee ballot. Absentee ballots can be obtained by contacting the Pocahontas County Auditor’s.

We hope everyone will take the time to let their voices be heard on this important decision. The school board cannot make decisions like this alone; it requires that a special election be held to decide. Please Vote!

Pocahontas Area Community School Board of Education
Ray Seehusen, Jeff Kerns, John Behrendsen, Dan Duitscher

School Reorganization Letter from Pomeroy-Palmer Teachers

     On Tuesday, February 1, the Pomeroy-Palmer and Pocahontas Area patrons have an opportunity to go to the polls to vote on the reorganization of our two school districts. We as teachers at Pomeroy-Palmer encourage you to go to the polls and to consider these points:

• Our declining enrollment and the loss of the budget guarantee money by the state will result in receiving less money each year. A $600,000 budget deficit is projected for the 2013-2014 school year which will result in further cuts to our staff and to the programs we offer.
• Following the terms of our sharing agreement with Pocahontas, the middle school will move to Pocahontas the beginning of the 2012-2013 school year regardless of the vote. However, if reorganization does not occur, we will begin paying tuition for our middle and high school students at that time, and our 5-year sharing agreement with Pocahontas Area would continue until June 2014.
• Operational sharing incentives from the state are being phased out at a rate of 20% each year and will end in one year.
• Reorganization gives us the best opportunity for our elementary to remain open and for the continued use of our gyms.
• Our students and staff have built positive relationships with the Pocahontas Area students and staff during this time of sharing academics and athletics. We have also been able to increase the number of class offerings and extra-curricular opportunities available for our Pomeroy-Palmer students.
• Reorganization of the Pomeroy-Palmer and Pocahontas Area school districts will help to create stability for students in both districts.

     Pomeroy-Palmer School district’s patrons will vote at the Pomeroy-Palmer School in the new gym lobby from 12:00 to 8:00 p.m. Pocahontas Area patrons will vote from 12:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Pocahontas County Courthouse or the Rolfe Community Center depending on township residence.

     Thank you for your support in the past of our students, staff, and school, and we ask for your continued support. Please feel free to contact any of the teachers listed below for more information or for their thoughts on reorganization.

Pomeroy-Palmer Teachers,

Publisher's note - you may e-mail Pomeroy-Palmer teachers from this page:

http://www.pom-palm.k12.ia.us/staff_directory/staff.htm

Some Thoughts on  the Pomeroy Cafe & Grocery

January 14, 2011
By Leonard Olson, Publisher
The Pomeroy Paper

Missourian Karl Paul Reinhold Niebuhr is credited with developing what is often known as "The Serenity Prayer"

Many will recognize the following:

"God, grant me the serenity

To accept the things I cannot change;

Courage to change the things I can;

And wisdom to know the difference."

We have a predicament in Pomeroy and I think The Serenity Prayer will help guide us.  Many people have stopped in my shop recently asking "what are we going to do about the grocery store & cafe?".  The answer to that question isn't up to me, but here are some "things we cannot change".

History.  Everyone likes to blame Wal-Mart for the decline of small town Iowa, but it was really John Deere.  More precisely, it was mechanized farming. In 1900 there were 18,569 people in Calhoun county.  We have experienced a steady decline in population ever since. In 1960 there were still 15,923 people.   By the 2000 census there were only 11,115 people left in Calhoun County.  It's a sure bet that the 2010 census will show further decline. With fewer people to serve, there are smaller needs for stores and other main street businesses.  The change we need is - "deal more with the outlanders."  More on that later.

Some more "things we cannot change" - demographics.  Following are figures from the 2000 census.

We are low in numbers and income, but we've had a lot of birthdays. (Des Moines' average age is 35.54).  All of those figure in to how much and what types of businesses the local area will support.  A factor in determining the viability of a business is the "threshold analysis"  Here's a link from ISU economist Ken Stone entitled: 

"How Many Shoppers Does it Take To...?"

http://www.extension.iastate.edu/communities/news/ComCon24.html

It explains threshold numbers in 1995.  More recent numbers are found here:

http://www.econ.iastate.edu/sites/default/files/publications/papers/p11220-2008-01-01.pdf

According to these figures, the population threshold for a full service restaurant is 1260.  For a grocery store it is 3981.  From the information in the 1995 Ken Stone letter, you would double a town's population to arrive at it's trade area. Thus, we are too small to easily support either business, especially a grocery store. Also from that letter, "There are, however, a few small towns that have businesses with a high threshold that are well established and well operated, but they have usually been there for a long time. If and when they go out of business, it would be very difficult for a new business person to operate the business successfully."  Once you lose a business, it's hard to make it work again.  That probably explains Nick Graham's very different experiences with the Rolfe Area Market and with The Pomeroy Grocery.  Even though the demographics in Rolfe and Pomeroy are much the same, he took over a going concern in Rolfe.  When he opened the Pomeroy Grocery, shoppers had already established other buying habits.  Hence, when the store in Rolfe was seeing an average of 150 visitors a day, Pomeroy's was only seeing around 20 and was forced to close.

"Courage to change the things I can."  We are borderline on numbers for supporting a restaurant.  We would have great difficulty reestablishing a grocery store.  One of the changes we can make is how we shop.  We don't necessarily "need a grocery store in town" but we do "need groceries in our homes".  One way to accomplish that is with online shopping and local delivery.  Nick has indicated that he is interested in taking orders and delivering them to Pomeroy.  Both to your home and to the location on the highway.  

Currently there are several entities who will deliver groceries.

Fort Dodge Hy-Vee is one.

http://www.shopouraisles.com/fortdodge.asp

Even though it says "Fort Dodge Only" for delivery I was told if you had a significant order of say, over $100, they would deliver to your home in Pomeroy for $30 on Wednesdays.  Contact their management to find out details.  I also spoke with Fareway and Wal-Mart but neither offer that service now nor have any immediate plans to do so.

Other online food sources are listed below.

http://www.meijer.com/s/grocery/_/N-3sa/Ns-PRODUCT_HAS_IMAGE|1||PRODUCT_SALE_PRICE|1?icmpid=TNGrocerySupplies

http://www.netgrocer.com/

http://mashable.com/2008/06/05/online-grocery-shopping/

http://www.schwans.com/

One part of my journey today was to find out if there were other ways of getting food into Pomeroy.  The other was a little price comparison.  I used the popular Campbell's Chunky Soups as a comparison vehicle.  They are a full meal in a can.  Here's what I found for prices around the area

A basic fact of life you can't change is that "volume talks".  A small store can't buy in pallet quantities and will thus have to charge more.

So, now that I've pointed out that we are only marginal in numbers to support a restaurant and way below the population needs to support a grocery store, is there hope for Pomeroy?  Of course there is!  Nothing is so broken it can't be fixed.  Here are more ideas for the "courage to change things I can."

First, a couple vocabulary words.

Meme.  Here's a little about that.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meme

Zeitgeist.  Here's some about that.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeitgeist

Simply put, we need to change the way we see ourselves.  We need new memes and we need to change the zeitgeist of Pomeroy.  

For many years Pomeroy was the center of an agricultural area which provided goods and services to the population of  that area.  Our habitat has changed dramatically.  We're all familiar with how pheasant populations will change based on weather, crops planted, cover, etc.  We have a habitat  problem and we need to adapt.  With the decline in farm population we've lost the demand for our goods and services and we need to start dealing with the outlanders more in order to survive.  At The Kaleidoscope Factory I recognized that very early.  I'm not complaining, but to give you a point of reference, I bring in less that $1000 a year from local sources and I'm all right with that.  I sell things you don't need that cost way too much money, not commodities.  6-10 large tour busses a year and hundreds of individuals from all over the world bring me enough business to feed myself.  Last year alone, I had visitors from Canada, Switzerland, Germany, Cambodia and Japan.  That was before the new Highway 20 was completed. Actually I'm joking about Highway 20.  People would drive down a gravel road to buy what I make because what I produce is unique.  Highway 20 won't make a bit of difference to me. For some of the rest of us in Pomeroy, the new road will probably bring a little more in at first. Then, when it's completed to Highway 71 we will see less "Okoboji Trail" traffic.  Another negative for starting a cafe or restaurant on the highway.

My business model has always been, "look around and see what someone else is doing, but don't do that".  Use it for insight for your own new ideas to fill gaps.  Here is some inspiration.:

The Goldfield Cheese Mart  http://www.goldfieldcheesemartinc.com/  Goldfield is smaller than Pomeroy.  Look around their website and see how they do it.  I'm NOT saying we should have a cheese store!  It's just for proving it can be done.

Here's another source.  http://iowabackroads.com/2007/10/10/stringtown-grocery/

They're so backwards they don't even have a website.  However their business model is very successful.  "Sell things you can't buy at Wal-Mart."  If you ever visit the store, you'll love it.

How about this?  In Fort Dodge, there are several places which primarily serve Asian food.  Hunan King, Hy-Vee, Chen Garden, Hong Kong Buffet and Chef's Kitchen.  How smart would it be to start an Asian restaurant in Pomeroy?

Here's a list of German restaurants in Iowa.  http://www.trails.com/list_18219_german-restaurants-iowa.html

Do you see a gap to be filled?  Myself, being a dumb Swede, I might be tempted to start providing ostkaka and lingonberries to the world.  In the 2000 census, Iowa had 35.7 per cent of the population report German ancestry and it was the top ethnic group.  Norwegian was 5.7% and Swedish didn't even make the top 5.  That means I probably should start a lutefisk restaurant, right?  Just kidding. 

Nick is interested in hearing our ideas on what to do with the Pomeroy Cafe & Grocery.  If you'd like to contact him directly, he can be reached at  (712) 848-3640.

I've also set up a discussion page on the Pomeroy Paper Facebook page.  You may leave your comments at: http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?topic=15491&post=72334&uid=396457659922#post72334

If you'd like to e-mail me directly: chelp@ncn.net